The structural work on the new data center at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) has been completed just nine months after construction began. At today’s roofing ceremony, guests from politics and academia joined construction stakeholders to celebrate this significant milestone. Minister of Construction and Finance Doris Ahnen, State Secretary for Science Dr. Denis Alt, and JGU President Prof. Dr. Georg Krausch commended the progress made, which remains on schedule and within the allocated budget.

The new facility is essential for maintaining and advancing the university’s IT infrastructure and national high-performance computing (NHR). It will house JGU’s entire IT infrastructure, which is crucial for both academic operations and administrative tasks. Key priorities include data security, system availability, and optimized performance. The total construction cost of approximately €29 million is fully funded by the state of Rhineland-Palatinate.

A Commitment to Research and Sustainability

“The roofing ceremony is yet another testament to Rhineland-Palatinate’s strength as a research hub. The numerous construction projects underway at university and college campuses across our state demonstrate our commitment to modernizing and expanding higher education facilities,” said Minister Doris Ahnen. “With features such as a photovoltaic system, provisions for waste heat utilization, and enhanced energy and resource efficiency, the new data center will not only be highly functional but also environmentally sustainable. Our €29 million investment is a strong contribution to Mainz as a research location and to the region as a whole. This state-of-the-art facility will further bolster JGU’s success in high-performance computing.”

State Secretary Dr. Denis Alt highlighted the significance of the project: “High-performance computing is a key technology essential for cutting-edge research. This data center will serve as more than just a technological hub—it will be a place where research, teaching, and innovation converge to drive scientific progress. By enhancing the accessibility and appeal of high-performance computing, we aim to empower scientists to explore and leverage its potential for their research in diverse and groundbreaking ways.”

Milestones Achieved: Roofing Ceremony Marks Construction Progress

“We are pleased with the steady progress of our new data center,” stated JGU President Prof. Dr. Georg Krausch. “A modern and powerful IT infrastructure is indispensable for researchers in Mainz, Rhineland-Palatinate, and across Germany—whether for the Rhineland-Palatinate research network or for interconnected high-performance computing, which is a key enabler of top-tier research. This investment strengthens JGU’s Computing Center, enabling research groups reliant on high-performance computing to maintain and expand their leadership in their respective fields.”

By the time of the roofing ceremony, the project’s general contractor, the Rhineland-Palatinate-based DC-Datacenter-Group GmbH, had successfully completed major construction phases. The structural framework is in place, and steel platforms have been installed on the flat roof to support six cooling units for warm and cold-water cooling. Interior painting in the ground and upper floors has been completed ahead of schedule due to complex subsequent installation processes. Additionally, substantial progress has been made on external infrastructure, including drainage channels and a retention basin. Since the start of construction, approximately 8,450 cubic meters of soil—equivalent to 12,675 tons—have been excavated, moved, and partially reinstalled.

Next, the project will focus on the installation of critical systems on the ground floor, including pathways for cooling, ventilation, and electrical infrastructure. The flat roof of the upper floor will also be fitted with extensive green roofing.

A Technological Benchmark for the University and Research Community

JGU is overseeing the construction of the data center in collaboration with the state’s construction authority and in close coordination with the Ministry of Finance. “The project remains on track in terms of budget, timeline, and IT infrastructure requirements,” said JGU’s Acting Chancellor, Annette Seliger. “Our priorities in planning this facility have been security and sustainability, incorporating energy efficiency measures, innovative cooling solutions, and heat recovery systems.”

The data center will feature an enterprise section housing JGU’s complete IT infrastructure and systems supporting the Rhineland-Palatinate research network and the Rechenzentrumsallianz Rheinland-Pfalz (RARP). The high-performance computing (HPC) section will accommodate the MOGON NHR Süd-West supercomputer and its planned successor to MOGON II. Since October 2021, JGU has been a key operator of the national NHR infrastructure as part of the inter-state NHR Süd-West consortium.

Ensuring Security and Reliability

Uninterrupted IT operations are critical for university research, teaching, and administration. The new data center has been designed to ensure near-total operational reliability, safeguarding essential services such as email, learning management systems, and databases. The core of the facility consists of server rooms, which are surrounded by corridors housing technical spaces for transformers, medium-voltage distribution, uninterruptible power supply (UPS), gas extinguishing systems, backup power generators, and security infrastructure.

To protect sensitive data—such as research findings and personal information of students and staff—the facility is structured into four security zones. Access to the building and server rooms is strictly regulated through an entry control system with security airlocks.

A Commitment to Sustainable Campus Development

Maintaining optimal temperatures in the data center is essential, as excessive heat can lead to server malfunctions. Approximately 80% of the cooling system operates through a closed-loop water circuit, eliminating the need for energy-intensive compressor cooling systems. This method significantly reduces energy consumption and enhances efficiency. Additionally, infrastructure has been prepared to facilitate the future reuse of waste heat.

The building’s rooftop will be equipped with photovoltaic panels, estimated to generate approximately 73,000 kWh of electricity annually—enough to power around 20 single-family homes for a year.

Laying the Foundation for Further Campus Developments

Relocating JGU’s IT infrastructure is necessary both from a construction and energy efficiency standpoint. While the administrative offices of the Computing Center (ZDV) will remain in the Faculty of Natural Sciences, where the current server room is located, the relocation will free up resources for potential emergency hardware needs. Additionally, plans are underway to renovate the existing building. The construction team expects the new data center to be fully operational by mid-2025.

Key Facts and Figures:

• Total building area: 1,870 square meters (approximately ¼ of a football field)
• Total construction cost: €29 million
• PUE (Power Usage Effectiveness) rating: ≤ 1.15 (a key efficiency metric for data centers)
• Enterprise section: 32 server racks
• HPC section: 112 server racks (up to 84 in simultaneous operation)
• Maximum IT load: 3,600 kW (comparable to a modern wind turbine’s capacity)
• Photovoltaic system output: 73 kWp (annual yield of 73,000 kWh)
• Compliance: Meets European data center standard DIN EN 50600
• Security levels: Enterprise section – Availability Class 3, HPC section – Availability Class 2
• Sustainability measures: Minimal use of composite materials, permeable paving for maintenance areas, complete rainwater retention and reuse, site-appropriate landscaping with adapted tree and plant selections

The new JGU data center represents a major leap forward in technological capability, security, and sustainability, ensuring that the university remains at the forefront of high-performance computing and research excellence.

Related links

• https://nhrsw.de/ – NHR South-West
• German Press Release by JGU Mainz

Contact

Press and Public Relations
Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU)
55099 Mainz, GERMANY
phone: +49 6131 39-22369
e-mail: presse@uni-mainz.de
www.uni-mainz.de/